Switch



Oct. 10, 1933. RHODES 1,929,793

SWITCH Filed April 9, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 10, 1933. H, RHODES 1,929,793

SWITCH Filed April 9, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Oct. 10, 1933 SWITCH Marcus H. Rhodes, Hartford, Conn., assignor to M. H. Rhodes, Ina, notation of Delaware Hartford, 001111., a cor- ApplicationApril 9, 1932. Serial No. 604,280

7 Claim.

This invention relates to switches, and with regard to certain more specific features, to electric time-controlled, delayed action switches.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of a switch of the class described in which the size and placement of parts is such that the switch as a whole occupies a minimum of space, and is thereby readily adapted for uses such as in connection with radio receiving sets, being mounted on the panel thereof, and in connection with automobile parking lights, being mounted as an instrument or dash board fixture; the provision of a switch of the class described which is adapted selectively to introduce the time-delay feature, which is itself adjustable, into either the circuit making or the circuit breaking phases of operation; the provision of a switch of the class described wherein the time-delay feature is adjustable over an exceptionally long maximum time interval; and the provision of a switch of the class described wherein the time-delay feature may be optionally adjusted or withdrawn from action even after it has commenced running on a previous setting. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a front plan view of a switch embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a bottom elevation of the switch of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged front plan view of the switch of Fig. 1; certain casings being removed and certain parts being broken away;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged back plan view of the switch of Fig. 1, certain casings being removed;

Fig. 5 is a section taken along lines 5--5 in Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view' of a spring contactor assembly;

Fig. '7 is a section taken along line '77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section taken along line 8--8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a control lever assembly;

Fig. 10 is a section taken along line l0-l0 of Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 11 is a section similar to Fig. 10 but showing certain elements in a different operating condition; and,

Figs. 12 and 13 are sections similar to Fig. 10 but showing certain elements in still further operating conditions.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, numeral 1 indicates a front housing section formed of bakelite or similar insulating material, with a generally circular shape. Cooperating with the front section 1 is a similar back housing section 2 (see Fig. 2), sections 1 and 2 together having a pill box shape. Screws 3 (see also Fig. 3) hold the front and back sections 1 and 2 together.

On the front face of front section 1 a dial 4 is provided with suitable angularly. disposed indicia 5 for indicating periods of time. While the dial 4 is shown as formed integrally with the housing section 1, it is to be understood that it may be otherwise amxed thereto, the sole criterion being that in operative installation, the dial 4 is immovable relative to the housing 1. Projecting through the housing 1 at the center of the dial 4 is a main shaft 6, upon which is relatively immovably mounted a knob 7 having a pointer 8 positioned to cooperate with the indicia 5.

A slot 9 is formed in the central lower portion of the housing section 1, through which projects a control handle or lever 10. At the left and right hand ends of the slot 9 are provided-the indicia Oil and On, respectively. The control handle 10 rotates upon a pin 11 (see Figs. 2 and 3) threaded into the housing section 1.

Threaded holes 12 are provided on the face of section 1 to receive mounting screws, by which the switch is mounted on a panel, dash-board,

or the like.

In the lower peripheral region of the back housing section 2 a pair of notches 13 and 14 are provided (Figs. 2 and 3), wherein are mounted terminal pieces 15 and 16, respectively, for the establishing of external electrical connections to the switch. The terminal pieces 15 and 16 include soldering lugs 1'7 and 18 as illustrated, although binding-post arrangements might likewise be used.

Mounted interiorly of the box formed by casing sections 1 and 2 is the operating mechanism of the switch, which may generally be classified as (first) the mechanical, or electrical, contacting means per se, and (second) the time delay means. The description will follow that order.

The control handle 10 is seen in more detail in Fig. 9. The portion. 19 thereof, constituting the handle proper which is manipulatible from the exterior of the switch, is formed of insulating material such as bakelite, fibre, or the like. Secured to the portion 19 by rivets 20 is a copper (or other conductive metal) portion 21, formed in the general shape of a letter E of which the central tang 22 is bent upwardly to constitute a nose. The outer tangs 23 and 24 of the portion 21 remain in the plane of said portion and the portion 19. A hole 25 passes through both portions 19 and 21 and receives the pin 11 upon which the handle rotates.

The relationship of the handle 10 and its assembly to the terminals 15 and 16 will be seen by reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Terminal 15 comprises a spring brass (or like metal) strip, one projection of which constitutes the soldering lug 17. Another projecting strip 26 enters the in-. terior of the box and terminates over the nose 22 of the handle 10. A-dent or depression 27 is formed near the end of the strip 26. In assembled position, the nose 22 constantly engages the strip 26, and thus is in constant electrical connection with terminal 15. Connections are made and broken, accordingly,-between portion 21 of handle 10 and the terminal 16. The coaction of the dent 27 and the nose 22 effects a snapping, or overcentering, of the handle 10 as it is thrown to on or off position, thus providing for quick and decisive making and breaking of connections.

The terminal 14 includes a spring brass strip, one part of which constitutes the soldering lug 18, and another part 28 of which projects into the box and there terminates.

The time delay mechanism is similar to that shown in my copending application Serial No. 578,596, filed December 2, 1931, and will not be described herein at great length, reference being hereby made to said copending application for descriptive details thereof. Broadly, the time delay mechanism comprises a pair of spaced plates 29 and 30 (Fig. 5), which bear the aforementioned main shaft 6. A main spring 31 is affixed to the main shaft 6 in such a manner that it is tensioned when the knob '7 is rotated in the direction of increasing indicia 5. Rotatably mounted on the main shaft 6 is a main gear 32. Immediately adjacent the main gear 32 is a friction disc 33 (Fig. 5), which is nonrotatably affixed to the main shaft 6. The friction disc 33 and main gear 32 cooperate such that the shaft 6 may be manually rotated in either direction by the knob 7 without rotating the main gear 32, but such that when the main spring is detensioning automatically, under the control of the escapement mechanism ,to be described, the main gear 31 and main shaft 6 rotate as if they were in fixed assembly.

The escapement mechanism comprises a gear chain, escapement wheel 40, and balance wheel 41, in assembly. The gear chain comprises, starting with the main gear 31, a pinion 63, a large gear 34, a pinion 35, a large gear 36, a pinion 37, a large gear 38, and a pinion 39 on the staff of the escapement wheel 40. The engagement of the balance wheel 41 with the escapement wheel 40 regulates, in a known manner, the time during which the manually tensioned main spring detensions itself. By reason of the reduction effect of the gear train, the main shaft 6 is accordingly permitted to rotate at only a very slow speed, and the main spring 31, after being wound up, thus unwinds only very slowly.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that there is afiixed to the main shaft 6 a one-tooth pinion 42. The single tooth 43 of the pinion 42 provides the means whereby the switch mechanism per se is electrically controlled by the timing mechanism hereinbefore described,

Suitably positioned on a shaft 44 mounted in the plate 29 is a sector gear 45. A spring washer 46 prevents the sector gear 45 from moving except under externally applied impulses. The number of teeth on the sector gear 45 is established to correlate with the maximum time setting it is desired to equip the mechanism for, as a whole. One tooth is provided for each desired complete revolution of the knob '7.

Also provided on the sector gear 45 is a nose or camming surface 47, which functions to actuate a lever to be described.

It will be seen that upon turning the knob 7 in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3, the sector gear 45 is angularly displaced in a clockwise direction to the extent of one tooth for each complete revolution of the knob '7. This arrangement is highly advantageous, in that it permits the main spring 31 to be tensioned to an extent far greater than in prior devices, wherein the tensioning was limited to that occasioned by one revolution only. In the embodiment as shown, the sector gear 45 provides means whereby the knob 7 may be rotated a maximum of four complete turns. It is evident, however, that by suitably increasing the number of teeth on the sector gear, this maximum number of revolutions may be increased to any desirednumber. Similarly, by reduction of the number of teeth on the sector gear 45, the total maximum number of revolutions of the knob 7 may be decreased.

Rotatably mounted on a. pin 48 held in plate 29 is a lever 49, illustrated in detail in Figs. 4, 6, '7, and 8. The lever 49 comprises an arm 50, having a nose 51 struck therefrom, the nose 51 passing through a slot 52 in plate 29 to be in position to be engaged by the cam or nose 47 of sector gear 45. A second arm 53 of the lever 49 supports a spring connector assembly 54. The assembly 54 comprises a plate 55 of insulating material secured to arm 53 by deformed projections 56 thereon. Afiixed to the insulating plate 55, as by deformed projections or tabs 5'7, is a spring brass, copper, or other conductive material piece 58. The relative shapes of the plate 55 and piece 58 is such that relative motion therebetween is prevented. The piece 58 has two spring projecting arms 59 and 60. The arm 59 normally extends in the direction of, and to connect with, the inwardly projecting portion 28 of terminal 16. The resilience of the arm 59 is such that, within the extent of motion of the lever 49, it (the arm 59) is always in electrical connection with the terminal portion 28.

The arm 60 extends downwardly and has its lower end positioned between the tanks 23 and 24 of handle piece 21. At its lower end, precious metal or like non-deteriorating contact buttons 61 and 62 are affixed, one on each side of the arm 60. The buttons 61 and 62 are positioned so that, properly actuated, they complete the electrical circuit between the terminals 15 and 16 by contacting, respectively, with the inner surfaces of tangs 23 and 24 of handle piece 21.

The operation of the switch thus constructed is as follows:

When the knob '7 is set at the index character 5 denoting zero time delay, the nose 4'7 of sector gear 45 engages the projection 51 of lever 49 thus positioning the contact buttons 61 and 62 in the location indicated in Figs. 4 and 10. When, now, the handle 10 is in off position, as illustrated, the piece 21 is moved such that neither tang 23 nor 24 is contacting with either button 61 or 62. Connections between the terminals 15 and 16 are thus broken.

When handle 10 is actuated to on position, the piece 21 is moved to its Fig. 11 position, albeit the contacts 61 and 62 do not move. Tang 24'is, however, brought into contact with button 61 and connections are established between the terminals 15 and 16.

The above two conditions, represented by Figs. 10 and 11, are those of non-time-delay operation. To introduce a time delay into effect, whether the handle be in either on or off position, the knob '7 is rotated to the desired extent, thus tensioning the main spring 31 and setting the escapement mechanism in operation, and at the same time lifting nose 4'? of sector gear 45 from engagement with projection 51 of lever 49, whereupon the resilient arm 59 rotates lever 49 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 4) and displaces the contact buttons 61 and 62 some dstance to the right.

If the setting of the knob '7 has taken place while handle 10 is in oil position, Fig. 12 represents the position of the various elements. It will be seen that button 62 is in contact with tang 23, and the circuit is completed thereby between terminals 15 and 16. Connections are thus on despite the fact that control handle 10 is in off position. However, upon the expiration of the time interval initially set by the knob '7, the nose 47 of sector gear 45 again presses projection 51 of lever 49 in a clockwise direction, and thus displaces buttons 61 and 62 enough to the left (Fig. 4) that the button 62- breaks engagement with tang 23 and connections between terminals 15 and 16 are disestablished. Thus, with the time-delay feature in operation, the

position of handle 10 indicates, not the instant condition of the circuit, but the ultimate condition which will be automatically assumed at the expiration of the set time interval.

Fig. 13 represents the condition of the various elements if the time-delay is brought into effect when the handle 10 is in on position. It

will be seen that the displacement of buttons 61 and 62 occasioned by the time setting has broken the normal connection between button 61 and tang 24. However, upon expiration of the set time interval, buttons 61 and 62 return to their Fig. 11 position and connections are reestablished; thus conforming to the conclusions set forth in the paragraph next above.

It will be seen that, considered broadly, the construction of the present invention comprises, first, a pair of contacting elements (24 and -23) spaced a fixed distance apart and movable to two alternative positions (determined by control handle '10), and second, a single contacting element (buttons 61 and 62) having likewise a pair of positions, determined automatically by the timing mechanism, the contacting elements of the first instance cooperating with the contacting element of the second instance to effect the various conditions of operations described. While the present invention has been described in connection with a time-delay control as determining the position of the contacting element of the second instance, it will be apparent that by the substitution of the time relay mechanism by some other type of mechanism, the switch may be made responsive to other types of influences. The switch of the present invention is thus possessed of a utility independent of its use in connection with the time-controlled features.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing, from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: I

1. A switch comprising a first contactor element, said element having a pair of fixedly spaced projections, said element as a whole moving selectively to two positions, and a second contactor element movable selectively to two positions between said projections, said second element cooperating with one of said projections to make and break connections therewith when in one of its positions, and with the other of said projections to make and break connections therewith when in its second position.

2. A switch comprising a first contactor element, said element having a pair of fixedly spaced projections, said element as a whole moving selectively to two positions, and a second contactor element movable selectively to two positions between said projections, said second element cooperating with one of said projections to make and break connections therewith when in one of its positions, and with the other of said projections to make and break connections therewith when in its second position, the making and breaking of connections in each instance being determined by the position of said first contactor element as a whole.

3. A switch comprising a control handle movable to two positions, said handle having two contactor projections, and a separately movable contactor element having two positions, said projections and said element cooperating so that, in one of the said positions of said handle, said element moves into and out of contact with one of said projections, while in the second of the said positions of said handle, said element moves into and out of contact with the other ,of said projections.

4. A switch comprising a control handle having an on and an of! position, said handle having two contactor projections, and a separately movable contactor element having two positions, said element cooperating in one of its positions, when said handle is in its on position; with one of said projections to make electrical contact therewith, and cooperating, when in its second position, and when said handle is in its off position, with the other of said projections to make electrical contact therewith.

5. A switch as set forth in claim 1 including trolling the position of said contactor element. 1

7. A switch as set forth in claim 1 including an adjustable time delay means, said time delay means functioning, immediately upon actuation thereof, to move said second contactor element to one of its positions and automatically,

upon the expiration of the time interval for which it is set, to return said second contactor element to its alternate position.

MARCUS H. RHODES. 

